Observations on giving up a promotion

I had the opportunity today to chat with a coworker who was promoted the same time I was promoted which was two years ago. In the last year I had stepped down from the promotion as the position was not a good fit for me. My coworker stayed in the position she had been promoted to and has weathered the storm of hard work, being over worked, and lack of training.

It was the first time since I had stepped down from a promotion (I was demoted) that we had the opportunity to talk and I could hear her reflections about working at the higher level. She could not believe how the time flew and lamented the days when work was easier, she could get all her work done, and did not stress about her unfinished work load.

I have often wondered if stepping down after being promoted was a good decision and after hearing her talk I realized it was a good decision for me. My coworker is more ambitious than I am and she is shrewd in dealing with people so she has some natural talents which allow her to function in the job she is in better than I would. She also has a family so working at a higher level with more pay is good for her family as well.

After talking with her I knew I made a good decision in stepping down and giving up the promotion I received. I enjoy getting my work done in an eight hour day, taking an hour for lunch where I do not stress about my work and then going home and not thinking about unfinished projects or what I tasks I have to accomplish the next few days. For me that is the ideal schedule and who knows how long I can keep it. In the future I may have to sacrifice some of my comfort to move on, move up, or move around in my career. In the mean time I am enjoying my hour lunch breaks while I can.